Harris casts Dancing Lights, creating four glowing lanterns that provide a spread of light around himself and Gromtheb. He keeps one hand on the hilt of his sword, but is actually prepared to let loose with Weird Words.
"When we get there, I want you to pay attention to what the priest says. He had a whole day with the body. He may be involved."
"Seems that way. Gromtheb, you and I should go get the priest. The rest of you should stay here, protect Gordel and the inn, and keep that thing from doing anything."
"Fascinating as the abomination may have been, Velinari, I don't believe this to be the time or place for study," Harris says evenly before turning to Gordel. "In any case, your daughter seems to have become a type of undead called a revenant. Such beings tirelessly pursue vengeance on those who slew them. Now, for whatever reason, she seemed to become enraged when she saw you. So either you killed her or her killer somehow impersonated you when he, she, or it killed her." He pauses, thinking. "Unless a spellcaster capable of creating and controlling undead creatures is trying to create the impression that one or both of the above scenarios is the case. Either way, we need to find out who or what is really behind this."
Like "they're injuring her but she's really friggin' tough" ignoring them or like "normal weapons can't hurt her" ignoring them? If so, which? If the latter, where can we find a rocket launcher to hit her with?
Using liberating command as an immediate action at the end of DM's turn. Duglan may make an escape artist check as an immediate action with a +12 competence bonus. There is no requirement that the recipient be able to hear the caster, so...
Duglan spots a momentary opening in which he may be able to break free.
On his turn Harris casts disguise self to make himself appear to be Gordel and moves to J-4.
All attacks are slashing and resolve against touch AC. Each hit allows a separate DC 16 Fort save for half damage. As a supernatural ability, it is also not subject to any SR she may have.
"Duglan! Keep her from getting upstairs! Gromtheb, see to Gordel! Make sure nothing happens to him! The rest of you, keep her distracted, but DO NOT destroy her!"
Harris casts Inspirational Boost(Inspire courage bonus is now +4) and will double move to -F16 (assuming the left end of the staircase is the top. If I'm wrong and the right end is the top, Harris double moves to -H13, midway down the stairs).
Along the way, he draws both his longsword and his shortbow (he will drop whichever he doesn't need when combat begins).
After Gordel passes out drunk and Egbert and Headcase leave, Harris says "That was tedious. I don't think we can count on Gordel living for much longer if we don't take pains to keep him safe. Here's the plan: We put him in a different room and stand watches to make sure he and we stay safe. Pair up, everyone. Someone wants to hurt Gordel, and I suspect that pinning the blame on us wouldn't come as a setback to them. We need one person in the room guarding him at all times and someone else standing watch in the hallway. Doors open, everyone. If they can't get to Gordel they may come after us in reprisal, so we need to remain alert and ready to come to each other's aid."
Harris doesn't drink. If asked which room to store Gordel in, he suggests "We need to minimize access and make it hard for whoever may come to get to him. Put him in the northeastern-most room."
"There's always a story, sheriff. We simply haven't figured out its plot yet," Harris says in the certain tones of a storyteller. "Whether Alaba was a specific target or merely one of convenience, someone or something killed her."
He pauses for effect, before continuing "This isn't to say that we don't have any leads. Quite the contrary - we have observed several strange things besides Alaba's continued exsanguination. Near as I recall, the inn was in a clearing when we arrived yesterday. Today, however, there is a tree growing next to it. Right next to Alaba's window, to be precise. I think this may have been planted using a magical token and used as either an entrance or an escape route by her killer, or both. Can you confirm that this alder tree is new?"
Diplomacy if needed (pursuing tangential line of questioning):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17 Bluff (changed tree type, suggesting that Harris thinks they will get closure in this case):1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 Sense Motive on reactions:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
On the way to this latest meeting, Harris glances over Velinari's note.
He responds to Egian's comment by saying "This is true, but there is something very odd about the wound. I've seen wounds that don't clot before, but Alaba's wound continues to bleed even now that she lies dead. Our alchemist is investigating this phenomenon, but I was wondering if you knew of any similar wounds that have occurred in this area before."
"There are a lot of strange happenstances, I see. Might we examine the body? We might be able to learn more about the killer and the weapon used by doing so."
You may be right, Quinn," Harris says. "As I recall, the inn was in a clearing before. A tree token could certainly have allowed an assailant to climb and get in or out of the window,"
"Hmm. Someone cast a conjuration spell on the tree. Might be tree stride, but the aura is too faint for me to be sure," Harris says carefully. "If I'm right, we're looking for a druid or a ranger..."
Harris putters about the room, examining the windowsill and the bed. He then casts Detect Magic and looks around again, before turning to examine the tree out the window (with Detect Magic still active!).
Take 10 on Knowledge (Nature): 21 What kind of tree is that outside Alaba's window?
You know, we really need to start keeping count of how many bridges Duglan burns...
Harris groans when Duglan opens his mouth, and says "I apologize for my uncouth compatriot. Frankly, everyone's under a lot of stress in these circumstances. Perhaps I could talk with Gordel and see if he can tell us more about the scene of the crime?"
"Before we take to accosting random townspeople," Harris says in response to Quinn's comments, "perhaps you could tell us what you plan to do next, sheriff. If you want our assistance in the investigation itself, it may be best if you deputize one or more of us. If you don't want our help, I wish you luck in your investigation."
"So she died early this morning? Yes, Duglan was with us all last night."
Harris ponders this for a moment. Knowledge (Nature):1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33 What types of flying beasts are there in this region (Nature covers magical beasts, monstrous humanoids and fey, as well as your garden variety critters) who could wield bladed weapons? Knowledge (Religion):1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 Crap. Well, has Harris heard any rumors of vampire activity in the area?
"So either her assailant gained access to her room through the window, or that was left open as a distraction. If the former," Harris argues, "the assailant either climbed or flew in. Are there any flying, tool- and weapon-using creatures in the area? A strix would seem a likely culprit in this case. If the latter, we're looking at either a local or a recent arrival to town. Were there any other travelers beside us who have come through town in, say, the last week or two who might hold a grudge against Gordel? Being stabbed six times seems like massive overkill, which indicates that the killer was furious, either with Alaba or Gordel, or that the killer was incompetent and unskilled with a blade."
After a momentary pause to catch his breath, Harris continues his analysis. "Let's assume that the window was left open to distract you for a moment. In that case, the killer knows your methods and way of thinking. He, she, or it has enough ability to sneak in undetected and make an escape before Gordel could rush into Alaba's room. In this case, I would posit that the killer made an escape by jumping or climbing out the window. If this is the case, you are looking for someone skilled at tumbling and performing feats of acrobatics. Do you know of anyone who fits any of these descriptions?"
Taking 10 on Kn (Nob) = automatic success (+5 bonus). Sense Motive at +12 bonus also automatically succeeds vs DC 13. Takin 10 on Kn (Religion) = automatic success (+11 bonus). Will Save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Spellcraft:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Harris remains quiet up until the priest begins to interrogate Duglan. He then steps in to defend his traveling companion. "For all his coarseness, I do not believe Duglan murdered the innkeeper's daughter. He made a pass at her the night before we set out that rather soured Gordel's view of him. As for Gordel, he is distraught and lashing out at the man who, he believes, insulted his honor," Harris summarizes. "I've seen it before. Losing a child is always sad, but we need to focus on finding out who did commit the murder. How did the girl die?"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
DM:
Spellcraft #2:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Do I know whether the caster is aware of who made the save versus who failed the save? This is a major question whose answer varies from DM to DM. Some spells (like Mind Fog) become massively better if the caster does know. Personally, I have the caster roll Sense Motive at a DC of 10 + affected target's HD + target's Cha mod, but however you run this is fine by me.
Also, I'm glad this is starting up again. Duglan and Harris would have gone into PvP combat had I posted another song, and I would feel SO ashamed if my character had to kill the prime suspect. [/sarcasm]
EDIT: Taking 10 on Knowledges (Local for 21 and Nobility for 15): What does Harris know about local jurisprudence and how a verdict is reached? What constitutes proof of guilt? Are people legally considered innocent until proven guilty, or vice versa?
"99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer.
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55 bottles of beer on the wall, 55 bottles of beer.
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Go to the store and buy some more, 99 bottles of beer on the wall."
"All right, boy, pull yourself together," Harris says, taking pity on the youth. "We'll come with you and we'll talk to those folk as need talkin' to. Folk don't much like being accused out of the blue, you know?"
To the party, he says "Come on, let's see if we can't set the record straight. Duglan, Gromtheb, no argument from you two. This affects us all, and we won't accomplish anything by just standing around here." With that, Harris starts walking toward Besterik.
Come on, the plot's this way. Showboating aside, we've been doing diddley squat. Let's change that.
"I suppose so," Harris says. "All right, boy, we'll go with you on the following conditions: first, that the sheriff and local authorities work with us as we investigate the death; second, that we will each be paid a sum of fifty gold or its equivalent in goods for our assistance; and third, that we will receive the full respect and cooperation of the townsfolk. You ride back to town and deliver these terms, and come back when they have been accepted. We'll wait here. You have 24 hours before we move on. Now, go on."
Diplomacy Check:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Harris is ready to use Pilfering Hand to disarm the youth if he draws that crossbow.
"Denied agency" would be the grammatically correct way to say that. That sort of thing depends on the characters and the circumstances of their allegiance.
Characters in a military setting would totally wind up being supposed to follow their commanding officer (example being Caleth in JZ's game), whereas a loose group of characters may well run like a democracy or even split up.
